Three charities have been given a cash boost from Ponteland Rugby Club, with each receiving a cheque for £500.

The presentations were made at the club sponsors’ lunch at Rialto’s Italian restaurant in Ponteland to The Sally Allan Fund, Friends of Marie Curie and the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.

Funds were raised through various activities, including the 2018 Ponteland Beer Festival.

The Sally Allan Fund was established in memory of Sally by her husband Gordon, working in conjunction with Tyneside and Northumberland Mind to raise mental health awareness.

The Friends of Marie Curie presentation was made in memory of former player and popular club member Gareth Jones, who lost his battle against cancer in 2017 having received palliative care at the Marie Curie Hospice in his final weeks.

Its money will go towards a new family unit at the charity’s Newcastle hospice.

My Name’5 Doddie Foundation is raising funds for the research into a cure for Motor Neurone Disease.

Former British Lion, Scotland and Newcastle Falcons player Doddie Weir was diagnosed with the disease some three years ago and continues to work tirelessly for the fund he set-up.

Ponteland Rugby Club President Tony Murphy said: “It was an honour to help all these charities, who all do outstanding work.

“The club is very much part of the community and we receive a lot of support from the community. This was just a way of thanking everyone who has supported us.”